Big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

As soon as I saw this was a queer ballet book, I was so here for it and I was not disappointed!

Aisha is a black ballet dancer but at her last school, once again didn't get the part because she didn't "look" the part. Enough is enough. Her best friend Neil convinces her to go to his school, but similar issues still arise. There is still discrimination and politics involved but at this new school she starts to fall for Neil's best friend, but also has to deal with her own traumatic past and Neil's, while trying to overcome the harassment from her fellow ballet dancers.

This book was really good and deals with a lot of deep issues. Some trigger warnings for the book include racism, disordered eating, depression, alcohol abuse, and anxiety. I really enjoyed how the characters interacted with each other and Aisha's characterization. She felt very real and has to overcome many obstacles in her short life. I also enjoyed all the details about ballet and dance. I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the author's next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review. (Publish Date: May 2, 2023)

“When it All Syncs Up” by Maya Ameyaw was an unexpectedly emotional book for me. The writing was so real and raw at times that I felt guilty being exposed to the characters’ vulnerable moments.

The story follows 16-year-old Aisha Bimi. She loves dancing and attends an elite ballet academy. However, no matter how hard Aisha works, she’s never chosen for leads due to her skin color. However, after visiting her best friend Neil and being fascinated by the art school he attends, Aisha decides to transfer to his school for her junior year of high school and start fresh.

Once she switches schools, Aisha’s talent is obvious to the instructors and she starts to receive the recognition she deserves. Aisha finally allows herself to relax, make new friends, have fun, enjoy being a teenager, and even consider the possibility of dating.

Just when things are starting to finally go right for her, Aisha’s past problems begin to creep back in with constant pressure, bullying, and discrimination weighing her down again. As she nears her breaking point, Aisha’s life takes an unexpected turn. With positive support, truly looking inside herself for answers, and allowing herself to trust others to heal, Aisha’s strength and wisdom begin to truly shine.

Aisha’s so relatable and endearing that I couldn’t help but feel immediately drawn to her. I was routing for her the entire book and felt such great love for her. I hope the author considers writing a sequel, because I’m dying to know more about Aisha’s story and what happens her senior year!

I would highly recommend this book from mid-teens to adult readers due to some drug use, underage drinking, adult language, and sensitive issues like racial discrimination, addiction, trauma/mental health, and eating disorders.

Maya has crafted a beautifully raw yet tender look at what happens when determination becomes detrimental with When It All Syncs Up. The care and love poured into the subject matter in this book shines through her writing, and I found myself caring for these characters in a very authentic way. For as heavy as the story gets at times, there is a quiet, ever-present spirit of hope woven throughout Aisha's narrative that makes the ending all the more satisfying. What a wonderful debut!

Soo many important topics covered in this book (abuse, racism, eating disorders, depression, etc). Holy cow. I'm glad a YA book like this exists.

However, the book felt like a diary. Sort of a "today I went to x and did y and so and so said z". Not so much storytelling and more of reading a sequence of events. I struggled with that. The book is easy to read and fast paced, but I felt like I wanted more out of the book.

4.5 stars!

There's a fine line between writing about serious topics and taking readers on the journey of serious topics without simply going for shock value. Maya Ameyaw toes that line beautifully.

It's important that realistic fiction isn't a sunshine and rainbows approach, but rather a complex array of emotions, experiences, and failures. Aisha, Neil, and Ollie each have distinct backgrounds, personal interests, and goals; yet, they find ways to support each other, even when they don't agree.

I liked seeing each character stumble, and fall, and fly. Life is messy. Hormones, not-quite-developed brains, balancing being a kid vs responsibilities.... it doesn't make navigating every day issues like crushes, classes, and parents any easier, so I think that while not every reader will connect with the dancing and singing aspects of the characters, there's still relatability in the shared experiences.

The wrap up was slightly too neat for me, but sometimes life DOES work out, and it's okay to show that, too.

I'll need to tell my students about: mature language, sexual scenes, violence, mental health, verbal abuse, eating disorders, alcohol, drugs, divorce, LQBTQIAP+, racial discrimination

**Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press Ltd. for the free ARC prior to publication. All opinions
expressed are my own.**

An absolutely stunning novel, WHEN IT ALL SYNCS UP has a voice that is both grounded and gorgeous, and a quick pacing that makes it impossible to put down. An exploration of trauma and healing, it is such an important story that will mean the world to readers and stay with them long after the final page.